Which card counting system is for you?

6 February 2016

By John Marchel

The easiest blackjack card counting systems are those called “level-one," that is because these counts only assign values of +1 and -1.

The “multi-level” systems may assign values of plus or minus 2, 3 or 4 for various cards. Some systems even use “side counts” such as keeping a side count of aces along with the plus and minus count.

The main point to remember is there is no memorization required. Just add, subtract or ignore each card value when seen.

There are some important considerations to weight when selecting a counting system. The count should be simple, practical and powerful, and one that you can use easily and effectually in the casino. Some experts believe the simple counts will result in fewer mistakes and more reliability. Others advocate more complex counts to help improve the odds.

One problem with counting cards is speed. You must keep the count even against a very fast dealer. You can find yourself mentally fatigued after only a few hours at the table. You may start to make mistakes or lose your count frequently.

The concentration needed may not allow you to make the small talk with the dealer or other players, raising casino suspicions that you are a card counter. All these things must be taken into account when choosing a counting system.

The multi-level systems plus multi-parameters added, such as side counts of aces, deuces, eight’s and etc., can lead to a very powerful and winning system. In computer simulations it has been found that these counts will outperform all simple systems thus allowing you to greatly improve your win-rate.

Card counting has been around for some time now. Some of the counts are easy, while others can be quite complicated. Pick one that you can learn and use easily while in the casino.


BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW

• The blackjack shoe was first introduced in Cuba in the early 1950s.


• Later when casinos got worried about card counters, the shoe was called on again to help prevent counting by players.


• Professional blackjack card counting teams required, at a minimum, 25 seconds to count down correctly a single deck of cards.


• In 1965 Cunard Steamship Line added roulette and blackjack as well as slot machines to its Franconia cruises to the Canary Islands. This was considered the first at sea casino.